Iltratturello

Eating at Illtratturello

T he leisurely breakfasts at Il Tratturello will consist of homemade yoghurt and the gorgeous freshly made ricotta prepared each morning by the local village artisan cheese make Verna Michelle, served with freshly picked figs, cherries, apricots and plums from the garden, local honey, toasted walnuts and hazelnuts from the woods of Orsogna and the legendary Montepulciano jam.

Fragrant cakes will tempt those with a sweet tooth, but for those who prefer savoury start to the day, freshly laid eggs, locally cured meats and homemade breads will be served too!

Evening dinner is an optional extra, and again will be based around prime, local and seasonal ingredients.

The region`s stunning coastline and wonderful mountainous regions provide the best combination of freshly caught seafood and flavoursome meat and game.

In the summer, evening dinner will be served under the twinkling Abruzzese stars, with freshly prepared breads, roasted vegetables from the kitchen garden and succulent meats cooked in the wood burning oven or on the barbecue.

For informal eating, relax with a bottle of wine (or two) over Arrosticini (skewers of Abruzzese mutton grilled to juicy perfection) or Porchetta, succulent roasted pork flavoured with herbs from the garden.

For something a little more structured, there`ll be delicious menu of antipasti, primi, secondi, (dolci to include homemade desserts and ice cream), delicious wines, liqueurs and coffee.

There`ll be traditional Italian favourites together with regional specialties, all brought together with that extra touch of flair and imagination. Typical indigenous dishes to try include spaghetti all'amatriciana, spaghetti alla chitarra (pasta handmade using a machine known as a chittara, or guitar), prosciutto di cinghiale, testicoli di mulo (small round lean pork sausages so-called because they are always sold in pairs not because they are what the name suggests!!), pecorino d'Abruzzo, local cheeses speckled with chillies, olives and tartufo especially made for roasting, salame di fegato pazzo (spiced liver salami), and salame di fegato dolce (liver salami made with honey) to name but a few.

Amongst the wines on offer will be the region`s fresh and delicious white wines Pecorino and Trebbiano d`Abruzzo, the gutsy, much loved red, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and the delightfully pink and perky Cerasuolo.